Let’s champion together
We have all needed someone to help guide and encourage us through the challenges of adolescence. Young people today want our support more than ever, and we especially need to champion a generation of young men.
Boys want to be decent and courageous. Our role is to create spaces for them to be their best. We have the opportunity to help boys find their purpose, clarify their values, and build healthy relationships. I invite you to join me on this journey of forming good men. Let’s champion boys and challenge culture together.
Champion Boys. Challenge Culture.
Daniel is a passionate youth advocate and educator. He champions boys across Australia to challenge culture and aspire to live courageous, respectful and empathetic lives.
Having presented to tens of thousands of young people in every Australian state and territory, Daniel is no stranger to the complex challenges that our distracted digital world presents in adolescence. Toxic influencers. Limiting stereotypes. The objectification of women and girls. Unrealistic expectations fuelled by porn culture. Harmful messages like these bombard today’s youth through social media, advertising, online content and the culture around them.
By partnering with schools and communities, Daniel encourages young people to recognise and resist distorted attitudes towards bodies, relationships and sex. He invites his audiences to instead aspire to healthy relationships built on mutual respect and empathy.
Creating space for youth to experience moments where care and courage triumph is what keeps me inspired. I see this especially in combined workshops where all students — either from co-ed schools or during combined single-sex days — are invited together to listen to and empathise with the stories in the room. From this place of shared understanding, we resolve together to create healthy cultures that value respect and kindness in all our relationships.
Whenever I engage with young men during our workshops, I never doubt I’m going to witness their terrific insights and growing empathy. Using a strengths-based approach, I encourage boys to aspire to healthy expressions of masculinity and sexuality. To show them not just who they shouldn’t be, but who they can be.
I have been privileged to engage in professional development with thousands of educators, counsellors, parents and communities who are dedicated to the wellbeing of their young people. Together, we explore what the academic research reveals about the current digital world’s impact on young people. Then we look at ways to support youth in unpacking the mixed messages they receive about relationships, bodies, consent and sexuality. With effective tools and positive examples, we can help young people establish their values and form healthy relationships into adulthood.
Schools are uniquely positioned to create positive environments during adolescence, but these environments take intentionality and a willingness to confront difficult topics. I partner with schools to support students and staff to engage in authentic, healthy conversations around relationships, sexuality and pop culture. I work with all types of schools — state, independent, primary, secondary and private schools, as well as universities.
Daniel joined The Project host Sarah Harris with the Principal from Yarra Valley Grammar, a former teacher and a student named Henry for a roundtable featuring conversations on engaging boys, masculinities, influencers and schools.
‘Adolescence and puberty is a tough time for everyone. But I really feel for young people today who face challenges unlike any other generation.’
Daniel Principe has spoken to thousands of teenage boys about what life is like for them. At a state school, he experienced the most profound moment of his life.
These are the videos Australian children are being confronted with as young as 11. And it is warping their minds.
He says before we talk about consent, we need to address pornography’s pervasive message that women should and can be disrespected.
The ‘manosphere’ is an online network of misogynistic groups. Concerningly, their violent and demeaning messages about women are appealing to a section of young men.
Maggie Dent, Parenting Educator & Author
Rebecca Sparrow, Author & Podcaster
Will, Student, Chevalier College
Tammy Hawkins, Head of Students, St Philip’s College, Alice Springs
Mike Weggelaar, Student Support Coordinator, Morley Senior High School
Tia, Student, Youth Enrichment Program
Naomi Sherborne, Health Promotion Officer, Jewish Care
Sam, Student, Kuyper Christian School, NSW